Participation in the New Post-9/11 GI Bill Continues to Grow
Over $50 million Already Paid to Schools and Students
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it has provided certificates of eligibility to nearly 200,000 applicants for the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Over 61,000 payments totaling over $50 million to schools and students have been issued since the August 1, 2009, implementation of the new program.
“Our top priority is providing our students and schools with accurate and timely benefit payments so Veterans can focus all of their energy on studies,” said Under Secretary for Benefits Patrick W. Dunne.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill authorizes the most extensive educational assistance opportunity since the passage of the original GI Bill in 1944. The maximum benefit allows every eligible Veteran, Servicemember, Reservist, and National Guard member an opportunity to receive an in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution at no cost.
Since VA began accepting Veterans’ applications on May 1, 2009 and school enrollment certifications on July 6, 2009, approximately 277,000 applications for eligibility determinations and/or school enrollment certifications have been received for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
During this same period, VA received over 603,000 applications for other education benefit programs, such as the Montgomery GI Bill; processed more than 503,000 of those applications; and authorized payments to students totaling over $1 billion.
VA’s current average claims processing time for Post-9/11 GI Bill claims is 35 days. This number temporarily increases during the fall term as most Veterans begin their school year. Moving forward, VA’s goal is to process Veterans’ initial claims in less than 25 days and re-enrollments in subsequent terms in an average of 10 days.
VA has over 900 personnel processing education claims. To address the large fall enrollment workload, employees are working overtime, and VA has rehired retired claims processors to provide additional processing support.
VA also contacted schools directly to address questions or concerns about the new program, and sent letters to schools to keep them updated on VA’s progress in implementing the new program.
“We appreciate the cooperation we are receiving from Veterans and educational institutions as we implement this new and complex program,” added Under Secretary Dunne.
Post-9/11 GI Bill students should be aware that a full housing allowance payment will not be issued until after the first full month of enrollment. Students beginning school in August will receive a pro-rated housing payment in September, and a full payment beginning October 1, 2009.
Additional information about VA education benefits can be found at www.GIBILL.VA.gov <http://www.gibill.va.gov/> or by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1, where over 100 call agents are standing by to assist Veterans’ with their questions and concerns.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON VBA EDUCATION WORKLOAD
Post-9/11 GI Bill Workload
* Claims Received and Completed
* VA has received 277,403 claims for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (249,668 eligibility determinations and 27,735 enrollment certifications). Eligibility determinations often also contain an enrollment certification that is processed simultaneously.
* VA has completed action on nearly 205,074 of those claims (189,597 eligibility determinations (and simultaneous enrollment certifications) and 15,477 enrollment certifications)
* How Long It Takes
* On average, it takes approximately 34 days to process a claim for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits.
* The time to process claims may increase temporarily (as it does each year) as incoming claims related to fall enrollment increase during September and October.
* Schools have been informed to continue submitting enrollment certifications in a timely manner.
* Claims Pending
* VA Currently has 72,329 claims pending for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (60,071 eligibility determinations and 12,258 enrollment certifications).
* Other Important Facts
* As of 9/16/09, approximately 33,000 payments totaling nearly $16 million dollars were paid to chapter 33 participants (for both books and supplies and housing allowance)
* As of 9/16/09, over 20,000 payments for tuition and fees were paid to schools, totaling over $36 million
* As of 8/31/09, approximately 13,000 veterans have received payments for chapter 33.
Total Education Workload
* Claims Received and Completed
* VA has received 603,656 Non-Chapter 33 education claims (106,219 eligibility determinations and 497,437 enrollment certifications). Eligibility determinations often also contain an enrollment certification that is processed simultaneously.
* VA has completed action on 503,323 of those claims (65,170 eligibility determinations (and simultaneous enrollment certifications) and 438,153 enrollment certifications)
* Claims Pending
* VA currently has 172,662 total education claims pending (101,120 eligibility determinations and 71,542 enrollment certifications) for all VA education benefits including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Dependents Education Assistance. Eligibility determinations may also contain an enrollment certification that is processed simultaneously.
* How Long It Takes
* On average, it takes approximately 35 days to process a claim for Montgomery GI Bill education benefits.
* The time to process claims may increase temporarily (as it does each year) as incoming claims related to fall enrollment increase during September and October.
* Other Important Facts
* As of Aug 31, 2009 VA has authorized payment of $997 Million in non-Chap 33 education benefits.
TOTAL EDUCATION CLAIMS RECEIVED: 881, 059
TOTAL PAYMENTS AS OF 9/16/09 FOR POST 9/11: 52 MILLION
Koby J. Langley
The Department of Veterans Affairs
Special Assistant to the Secretary
810 Vermont Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20420
Dir: 202-461-4805
Mobile: 202-527-2365
Fax: 202-495-5479
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